Hoggilsbey was first used as a surname by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The ancestors of the Hoggilsbey family lived in the county of Angus near Glamis. Although Bishop Leslie, a noted historian during the time of Mary Queen of Scots, lists the Ogilvies as being derived from the Border Country in the vicinity of Kelso, serious question must be made of the authenticity of the statement. It seems more plausible to deduce this Clan to be of original Pictish stock, descended from Dubhucan, Earl of Angus (1115 AD), of the Mormaers of Angus. The root of the name is thought to be from the Welshuchel, meaning "high."

Early Origins of the Hoggilsbey family

The surname Hoggilsbey was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, where Gilbert, son of Gillebride, 1st Earl of Angus, obtained a charter of the lands of Purin, Ogguluin and Kynmethan, in Angus between 1172 and 1177. Gilbert is also on record as a witness of a grant of the church of Monyfode to the Abbey of Arbroath by his brother, Gilchrist, 3rd Earl of Angys between 1201-04. There is also early record of an Alexander de Oggoluin, who had a Charter of the lands of Belauht around 1232. Patrick Oggelville or Eggilvyn (of county Forfar) swore an oath of allegiance to King Edward the 1st of England in 1296.

Hoggilsbey Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Hoggilsbey has appeared Ogilvie, Ogilvy, Oguilvie, Ogilby, Ogleby and many more.

Early Notables of the Hoggilsbey family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Saint John Ogilvie (1579-1615), a Jesuit priest, and a cadet of Ogilvy of Findlater, who was arrested and hanged at Glasgow Cross for his defense of the spiritual supremacy of the papacy. He was beatified in 1927 and canonized in 1976. Also of... Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hoggilsbey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hoggilsbey family to the New World and Oceana

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Hoggilsbey: John Oglesby, who settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife, children and servants; John Ogilby, who settled in Barbados in 1678, with his wife and children.

The Hoggilsbey Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.